Hometeam: Belbin trick lifts No. 3 Colonials

When Shrewsbury and Hudson faced off in Auburn's Willard Tournament to open their seasons, the Hawks carried a 2-1 lead into the third period only to lose, 6-5. Nearly the same thing happened in Saturday's rematch at North Star Youth Forum.

PHOTO/ JACKIE RICCIARDI

Shrewsbury celebrates a third-period goal.

When Shrewsbury and Hudson faced off in Auburn's Willard Tournament to open their seasons, the Hawks carried a 2-1 lead into the third period only to lose, 6-5.

Nearly the same thing happened in Saturday's rematch at North Star Youth Forum.

The No. 3 Colonials trailed, 2-1, after two periods before scoring four straight to post a 5-2 win over the defending Division 3 state champions.

Dave Belbin scored three goals for Shrewsbury.

“I don't know what it is, all year long we've come out in the first period pretty much half-asleep,” Colonials coach Steve Turnblom said. “Nine games, we haven't won a first period yet. But I'll tell you one thing, when we're down, there's no better group that I'd want than that one right there. They've done it all year.”

Belbin, a junior captain who played well in all three zones, was proud of his team's comeback.

“Same thing again,” he said. “It just shows the character of this team; we're not going to give up. If you get down, then come right back. You fight for it.”

Dan Borella put the Hawks ahead 53 seconds into the game and everything looked to be going Hudson's way.

Less than 30 seconds after Shrewsbury's Dan Quinlivan (two assists) missed an open net, the Hawks drew a penalty shot. But freshman Shane Gorrie (18 saves) made the first of several key stops, getting over to deny J.D. Dutney's backhander at the left pipe.

Central Mass. scoring leader Jeff Hamelin picked up his second assist of the game with 51 seconds left in the first period, dropping the puck to Mike Tomasetti for a one-timer in the slot off a faceoff.

That gave Hudson a 2-0 lead, but Belbin pulled Shrewsbury within a goal when he scored on the rebound of a Matt Dillon shot 24 seconds into the second.

“That was big to get one right off the bat and get us back on track,” Belbin said.

Joe Buduo deflected in Cole Ambach's hard shot from the right circle to tie it, 2-2, just 1:34 into the third and Belbin's goal 70 seconds later was the winner.

The Quinlivan twins then connected at 5:03 with Dan assisting on Jack's goal.

Belbin completed his hat trick with a short-handed goal with 2:48 left.

“The defense really stepped it up in the second and third period,” Belbin said. “When it started clicking was once our D started playing well.”